Advertise on podcast: The Parting Shot with H. Alan Scott

Harry Melling is very aware his work in the new film Pillion is about as far away as he can get from his portrayal of Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter franchise. “A lot of people, they’ll go, ‘Wow, Dudley Dursley’s in this kinky movie.’ And I don’t know what to say about that.” Fortunately for Melling, critics are praising his performance as a shy man, Colin, entering the BDSM subculture through a relationship with Ray (Alexander Skarsgård). “What I loved about the story is meeting him in this brave moment of going, ‘I’m gonna give this a go.’ Watching him explore what he wants.” For Melling, this role is another example of how the actor is challenging the difficulties some child actors can have moving into more adult roles. “I always knew that I wanted to do this properly. Like I was a massive theater nerd, so I wanted to do theater, I wanted to work with the great movie directors. I took steps to bridge the gap.” With Pillion, it’s clear Melling is all grown up.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Traitors star Colton Underwood talks strategy, his battle with Lisa Rinna and why the internet has his journey all wrong. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Giamatti on joining Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, fulfilling his "dream role" to play a Klingon pirate, reflecting on The Holdovers and the persistent myth that he’s already won an Oscar. (He hasn’t, but should.)  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to discuss his highly anticipated new book, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, and share intimate stories from his storied career in Hollywood and on Broadway. Marc dives into his deep bond with the late, great Rob Reiner, reflecting on their friendship and the creative synergy that defined so much of their work together. He also pulls back the curtain on his legendary collaborations with icons Bette Midler and Billy Crystal, offering a firsthand look at the chemistry behind some of entertainment's most memorable moments. Plus, Marc revisits the vibrant world of Hairspray, detailing the journey of bringing that modern classic to life. It is a heartfelt and hilarious conversation with a true titan of the industry about the art of collaboration and the stories behind the songs we love.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Parting Shot, we sit down with the "Powerhouse in Pigtails" herself, Margaret Josephs. While the future of Real Housewives of New Jersey remains a hot topic, Josephs is busy proving she is much more than a reality star. We dive into her "full circle" journey as a licensing expert—from the Macbeth Collection to her new TikTok Shop sensation, Soirée. Josephs also gets transparent about her wellness journey with LifeRX and explains why authenticity has always been her ultimate business strategy. Whether you're a Bravo superfan or a budding entrepreneur, this conversation on the art of the deal is a must-listen. Josephs discusses everything from navigating the "generational trauma" of the RHONJ cast to why she is leaning back into her creative roots to build a massive lifestyle empire.  Shop Soirée: https://drinksoiree.com/  Learn more about LifeRX: https://tinyurl.com/mv8yzufs  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow H. Alan Scott: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Academy Award nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to discuss her latest lead role in the Netflix thriller The Rip. Catalina reflects on the 20-year legacy of her breakout performance in Maria Full of Grace and shares what it’s really like working alongside industry titans Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Plus, she offers a rare, behind-the-curtain piece of advice for first-time Oscar nominees navigating the whirlwind of awards season.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when the ultimate reality TV strategist decides to turn the camera on the genre itself? This week, we’re joined by two-time Survivor legend Stephen Fishbach to celebrate the release of his propulsive debut novel, Escape! Stephen pulls back the curtain on reality TV production, exploring the psychological toll of being turned into a television character and the thin line between fame and humiliation.  We dive deep into why he chose a jungle survival competition as the setting for his thriller and how much of his own lived experience made it onto the page. From looking back at his legacy to discussing the current state of the game ahead of Survivor 50, Stephen offers a masterclass in both strategy and storytelling. Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott even put him on the spot to find out if the master strategist would ever join Alan Cumming in the castle for a season of The Traitors. Whether you're a die-hard member of the Survivor community or just a fan of sharp, bingeable fiction, this is a fascinating look at the human beings working inside the entertainment machine.  Get your copy of Escape! at the link below: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/792925/escape-by-stephen-fishbach/  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We now live in a world where Kate Hudson is a two-time Academy Award nominee. Let that sink in.  The 98th Academy Award nominations are officially out, and while we’re usually the first to complain about the Academy playing it safe, this year they chose violence. From historic record-breaking hauls to the complete and utter erasure of Oz, the nominations for the Class of 2026 are nothing if not dramatic.  Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott is joined by colleagues Lauren Giella and Kyle McGovern to react to every snub, surprise, and "shook" moment of the season.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jay Shetty is known for guiding millions through life’s biggest questions, but what happens when the advice gets "messy"? In this episode, Jay joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to discuss his new Audible Original series, Messy Love, where he steps away from abstract concepts to work directly with real people navigating the complexities of modern dating and long-term commitment.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we're chatting with the incomparable Mandy Mango fresh off her departure from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Known for her wit and her warmth, Mandy joins us to pull back the curtain on what really happens when the cameras stop rolling and the lipstick message is written. Mandy gets real about the moment she was voted off and how she processed the judges' critiques. She also talks about how she balances the high-stakes world of being a registered nurse with the high-glamour world of professional drag.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After the huge success of her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy marks a bold transition to fiction with new novel Half His Age. But to McCurdy, no matter the genre, it’s all about the voice, and she’s confident about hers. “I feel like my voice is my voice.” Half His Age explores the “funny-sad” tightrope of Waldo, a girl with an unconventional attraction toward her teacher. “Though this is told through Waldo’s perspective as a 17-year-old senior in high school, there’s certainly a lot of overlap in our voices, in our point of view.” The story had an impact on McCurdy. “For this book, I had a lot of experiences where I’d feel so much rage that I’d be crying.” To hone this energy, she rids herself of outside influences. “I not only don’t read, but I also don’t socialize.” She’s already plotting a film adaptation. “Maybe 50 percent of making a good film or TV show is writing a good film or TV show.” Fortunately, she’s already halfway there as a bestselling author.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vanderpump Rules has a new face, and he’s already stirring the pot. This week, Shayne Davis joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to pull back the curtain on his debut season and the "player" label that seems to be following him.  Shayne opens up about the reality of filming, the pressure of joining an iconic cast, and his deeply personal journey with sobriety while navigating the high-octane West Hollywood nightlife.  Plus, we review his Hinge profile and well... things were seen.   Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The castle just got a lot quieter, but the drama is only getting louder. This week, we’re joined by the two most talked-about departures from The Traitors Season 4: Michael Rapaport and Tiffany Mitchell.  First, Michael Rapaport joins Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott to address the firestorm surrounding his exit. He breaks down that explosive roundtable moment and the "secret-keeping" remark directed at Colton Underwood that many viewers labeled homophobic. Plus, we confront the internet’s latest obsession: the way he eats and drinks on camera. Is he trolling us, or is that just the Rapaport way?  Then, Big Brother legend Tiffany Mitchell stops by to get real about her banishment. She addresses the "defensive" label and opens up about the emotional moment she revealed she was playing for the prize money to support her family—a rare, vulnerable look behind the strategist's mask.  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After five seasons playing Gregory on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, Tyler James Williams is adding a new title to his job: director. “I think for a while, I have been wanting to get my hands dirty in another aspect of the process.” The actor learned that he approaches directing differently because of his acting background. “My brain thinks in act breaks and pacing, and I guess finding the funniest way to see something and show something.” This evolution for Williams is just another notch in an already impressive career that introduced characters like his breakout lead role as a child actor on Everybody Hates Chris and Lionel in the film Dear White People. “There's definitely a consistent thread that runs through all of them. That is a guy who's trying to find his way ultimately, who may be a bit more awkward and outside of the norm than most people, but who's sincerely trying.” And because his work on Abbott Elementary has resulted in multiple Emmy nominations, that's inspired impressive red-carpet moments with co-star Chris Perfetti. “We understood that we may have a little bit more hill to climb. So with that being the case, we're gonna have fun with it.”  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://for-the-culture.beehiiv.com  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The fire has been extinguished—or has it? Today I’m sitting down with the spicy DD Fuego to unpack her exit from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18.   DD doesn't hold back on why she feels she shouldn't have been in the bottom, the "unfiltered" truth about her elimination, and how she’s handling it. Plus, we dive into her iconic relationship with her boyfriend James (yes, that James from the legendary episode of Real Housewives of New York).  Subscribe to my newsletter: https://link.newsweek.com/join/for-the-culture  Follow me: https://linktr.ee/halanscott  Subscribe to Newsweek’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/newsweek  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.